Call To Stage with Amber Davies – Details, episodes & analysis

We have one of the most highly anticipated guests of the year on this episode of Call To Stage... it's Amber's Strictly Come Dancing partner Nikita Kuzmin!

Hailing from Ukraine, Nikita is joined BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 and - two years later - during season 21 in 2023, he placed as runner-up with his partner for the series (and Call To Stage alum), Layton Williams! Nikita has scored a '40' (the highest score on the show) six times and has been scored a '10' (the highest score from an individual judge) a whopping forty-three times!

Outside of Strictly, Nikita is the holder of six Italian Championship titles and was the runner up on the 2024 series of Celebrity Big Brother.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Nikita share behind-the-scenes stories from their time on Strictly, their first impressions of each other and the growth they have experienced whilst on the show.

They also take us inside the rehearsal room to share their most challenging rehearsals - learning a wide variety of dance styles - and Nikita shares his favourite musicals!

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We're joined by the dynamic and highly talented Ben Forster on this episode of Call To Stage!

You might recognise Ben winning ITV's Superstar competition back in 2012 which resulted in him playing the lead role of Jesus in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of Jesus Christ Superstar in its 2012 Arena Tour.

Since then, he has Buddy The Elf in Elf The Musical in the West End, and has played The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End, Greece, Japan and on the World Tour.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Ben talk about his experiences on TV, training at Italia Conti and Ben's experiences in productions including Thriller Live and Phantom.

They also discuss Ben's venture into pop music, Amber's secret love for Elf The Musical and the incredible travelling opportunities that musical theatre can provide you.

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We're joined by one of Wales' finest on this episode of Call To Stage as Amber sits with the Olivier Award-winning David Thaxton!

David’s career spans two decades of West End highlights - from his breakthrough in Les Misérables (playing Enjolras and Javert), to originating Giorgio in Passion at the Donmar Warehouse (winning him the Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical) and starring as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera.

He’s also been seen in Love Never Dies, Candide, Come From Away, Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park, and most recently as Max von Mayerling in Jamie Lloyd’s record-breaking Sunset Boulevard alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis — both in the West End and on Broadway.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and David talk about his path from Wales to the West End, the unexpected audition that led him to Les Mis and and the challenges of balancing family life with an international career.

David also shares a masterclass in Jamie Lloyd’s unique “grid” directing style and shares what it’s really like transferring a production to Broadway.

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We're joined by a Broadway-turned-West End star named as Broadway World's Vocalist of the Decade (and one of the tallest men we've ever met) on this episode of Call To Stage!

Zachary James has forged a hugely impressive and dynamic career in theatre - most recently as Hades in the West End production of Hadestown, as well as Dom Claude Frollo in the sold out West End concert of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. All amongst that, he starred as Caiaphas in the star-studded Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

On Broadway, Zachary originated the role of Lurch in The Addams Family, starred in the 2008 revival of South Pacific and has performed in the Encores! productions of The Most Happy Fella and The Pirates of Penzance.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Zachary talk about discovering your voice later in life, Zachary's performance with Stephen Schwartz and sharing the stage with Cynthia Erivo.

Zachary also reflects on being part of original productions, the challenges of sustaining long runs, the realities of living between the UK and the US and why saying yes to unexpected opportunities has defined his career.

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Long time friend of the Davies? Tick. West End favourite? Double tick. Rob Houchen is on Call To Stage this week!

Rob Houchen shot to fame as Marius in Les Misérables, a role he played on the West End and in the iconic 30th anniversary concert broadcast to cinemas worldwide.

Since then, he’s built a career that blends classic leading man roles with contemporary new writing — from the West End production of City of Angels to Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, the UK Tour of South Pacific and, most recently, the hit Titanique in the Original West End Cast.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Rob reminisce about their nights out and Rob shares stories from breaking out in Les Mis, working with icons like Vanessa Williams and Kristin Chenoweth and working in LA.

Rob also shares why he chose to leave Titanique while he still loved it, what it was like being painted grey in a jockstrap every night for City of Angels and the night he sang ABBA on the carpet at Sir Ian’s New Year’s party...

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Imagine being so naturally talented that your career started as a joke... and now you're in London starring as the King of Pop in front of sold out audiences every night!

Jamaal Fields-Green is the West End's MJ in MJ The Musical - currently starring, after initially coming in as an emergency cover. His career started when he landed the role of Seaweed in Hairspray at high school (after his friends signed him up as a joke!) and has since thrived in productions including The Choir Boy and the Chicago production of Hamilton - his first major role straight out of college.

Jamaal's story teaches us that anyone can make their dream of performing come true, no matter what time in your life you find theatre (as long as you're insanely talented!).

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Jamaal talk about performing in the UK vs the US, his experience playing MJ, landing his role in Hamilton straight out of college and his uncommon route into the industry...

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We're have come to the end of Call To Stage: Gatsby Edition... but we're not finishing before we invite one very special guest on the podcast!

Corbin Bleu's theatre credits span from In The Heights on Broadway to Hairspray and Mamma Mia! at the Hollywood Bowl. He's also led companies in the Broadway productions of Godspell and Kiss Me, Kate, as well as the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors.

For the millennials and Gen Z, Corbin is best known as Chad in Disney's High School Musical - a role which catapulted him to household name status and resulted in him being nominated for a Teen Choice Award and NAACP Image Award.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Corbin talk about being constantly on-stage as Nick in Gatsby in the West End (as well as his interpretation of the role), navigating backlash in his first Broadway role and his roles in shows including Singin' In The Rain.

They also talk about the ongoing legacy of High School Musical, the important role the franchise played in the arts and his experiences with fans...

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We are nearing the end of Call To Stage: Gatsby Edition… but we are not slowing down! Our guest on this episode is the effortlessly talented (and chilled) Jay Gatsby… sorry, we mean Jamie Muscato, old sport.

Jamie Muscato is one of the most bankable leading men in the West End. From his breakout performance as JD in the West End production of Heathers: The Musical to his starring roles in Moulin Rogue!, Les Misérables (on Tour and in the West End), Rock of Ages and, most recently, his Olivier-nominated turn in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812... his CV is just as impressive as his on-stage abilities.

Beyond the shows he has been in – Jamie is a star in his own right, and to prove it he is headlining two solo concerts at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in March 2026!

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Jamie talk about building your craft without formal drama school training, the turning point of Heathers propelling Jamie into the spot… and the viral pressure around Jamie’s on-stage death in Gatsby.

They also talk about Jamie’s professional debut in Spring Awakening, his Olivier Award nomination for The Great Comet, working with legends like Rachel Tucker, and why saying no can sometimes be the most powerful choice an actor can make.

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We’re back with another episode of Call To Stage: Gatsby Edition and this week, we’re joined by a West End powerhouse!

Jon Robyns has played many of the West End’s most formidable roles. Having been cast in the UK Tour of Miss Saigon before he even graduated, Jon has gone on to originate the roles of Princeton & Rod in Avenue Q in the West End, as well as playing Marius and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables in the West End (and Enjolras in the 25th Anniversary Tour production).

He has also played King George III in Hamilton, The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and his next West End role will see him take on Miss Trunchball in Matilda The Musical. All of this alongside roles in Memphis: The Musical, Sister Act, Spamalot and Legally Blonde.

Jon Robyns currently stars as Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby.

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Jon talk about the art of playing Tom Buchanan and the challenges of the role, the differences between The Phantom and Jean Valjean and the shows that have defined Jon.

They also swap stories from the Gatsby rehearsal room, share the story of the sneeze that nearly brought the Plaza to a standstill… and why role would Jon secretly love to play?!

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We're going under the hood (yes, the hood of THAT car) once again for an episode of Call To Stage: Gatsby Edition!

Aimée Fisher boasts an illustrious list of West End credits - including Lés Miserables (cover Cosette and Fantine), Wicked (first cover Elphaba), Elf and the UK Tour of Waitress (cover Jenna and Dawn)... where she met her husband, George!

From covers to ensemble, and now playing the role of Gilda Gray in The Great Gatsby - Aimée has truly played all the parts to get to where she is today. She's even worked as a dresser whilst going through a period of rejections!

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Aimée discuss the pressures and challenges of being a cover in theatre, meeting her husband whilst in Waitress and playing childhood dream roles.

They also talk about Gilda's big Act II solo in Gatsby and her unexpected path to covering Elphaba in Wicked.

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